Toy scoop loader

ABSTRACT

A toy scoop-loader has a frame pivotally supported in its midregion on a wheeled chassis with a scoop bucket on the forward end of the frame and a handle on the rearward end of the frame. The frame is supported in a scooping position with the bucket lowered and the handle elevated for manually moving and guiding the bucket, and a latch releasably supports the frame in a lifting position with the bucket elevated and the handle lowered. The bucket has a pivotal bottom for opening and closing the bucket and a manually operable lever pivotal relative to the frame has a connecting rod extending to the bucket bottom for opening and closing the bucket in response to movement of the lever. A latch releasably latches the bucket bottom in a closed position.

Umted States Patent [1 1 [111 3,911,615

Alexander Oct. 14, 1975 [54] TOY SCOOP LOADER [75] Inventor: James C. Alexander, Orchard Park, Pmfmry Exam?erROben Peshock Asszstant Examzner l. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or FirmCumpston & Shaw [73] Assignee: The Quaker Oats Company,

Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: July 24, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 491,341

[52] US. Cl. 46/40 [51] Int. Cl. A63H 33/30 [58] Field of Search 46/40, 201, 202, 214

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,792,851 2/1931 Marx 46/40 X 2,557,851 6/1951 Warner 46/40 2,563,974 8/1951 Thierry 46/40 2,702,963 3/1955 Swenson 46/40 2,812,869 11/1957 Nisperly 46/40 X 2,985,983 5/1961 Konstenius 46/40 3,205,612 9/1965 Zbikowski 46/40 I .F \L' [57] ABSTRACT A toy scoop-loader has a frame pivotally supported in its mid-region on a wheeled chassis with a scoop bucket on the forward end of the frame and a handle on the rearward end of the frame. The frame is supported in a scooping position with the bucket lowered and the handle elevated for manually moving and guiding the bucket, and a latch releasably supports the frame in a lifting position with the bucket elevated and the handle lowered. The bucket has a pivotal bottom for opening and closing the bucket and a manually operable lever pivotal relative to the frame has a connecting rod extending to the bucket bottom for opening and closing the bucket in response to movement of the lever. A latch releasably latches the bucket bottom in a closed position.

22 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of 2 US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 U.S. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of 2 3,911,615

TOY SCOOP LOADER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There has long been a demand for toy simulations of real-life equipment such as scoop loaders, and such toys are popular for sandbox play. There have also been many suggestions for such toy simulations, but there is always a need for a more attractive or more entertaining toy of this type. The invention involves recognition of the many play possibilities for a scoop loader and ways to make a simulated scoop loader that is more readily manipulated by a child and provides entertaining and variable operation combined with ruggedness, durability, and safety, and ease and reliability of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventive toy scoop loader has a wheeled chassis and a frame having a pair of spaced-apart arms extending fore and aft relative to the chassis. The longitudinal mid-region of the frame is pivotally supported on the chassis, and a scoop bucket is on the forward end of the frame. A handle extends between the frame arms at the rearward end of the frame for manipulating the frame. The frame is supported in a scooping position with the bucket lowered and the handle elevated for manually moving and guiding the bucket, and a frame latch re- .leasably supports the frame in a lifting position with the bucket elevated and the handle lowered. A bucket bottom is pivotally mounted for opening and closing the bucket, and a manually operable lever mounted for pivoting relative to the frame is connected to the bucket bottom with a connecting rod for opening and closing the bucket bottom in response to movement of the lever. The bucket bottom also has a latch for releasably latching the bucket bottom in the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the inventive toy scoop loader;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the frame pivot of the toy of FIG. 1 taken along the line 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bucket bottom pivot of the toy of FIG. 1 taken along the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view ofa fragment of the bucket and frame of the toy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the toy of FIG. 4, taken along the line 55 thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the frame handle of the toy of FIG. 1 and taken along the line 66 thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Toy 10 as shown in the drawings simulates a scoop loader and has a bucket 11 that can be elevated to a lifting position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 or lowered to a scooping position as shown in broken lines in FIG. 1 for scooping up sand or other material from ground level and raising up the scooped material for dumping in a truck or other receptacle. Bucket 11 has a pivotal bottom 12 shown in an open position in FIG. 1 and a closed position in FIG. 4. Toy 10 includes a chassis 13 supported by wheels 14 to simulate a loader, and the invention generally involves the equipment for operating bucket 11.

Frame 15 has a pair of spaced-apart arms 16 supporting bucket 11 on the forward ends of arms 16, and a handle 17 extends between the rearward ends of arms 16. The longitudinal mid-region of arms 16 is pivotally supported on chassis 13 as best shown in FIG. 2. Frame 15 then is pivotal between the solid and broken-line positions of FIG. 1.

The upper region of chassis 13 has pair of journals 18 loosely supporting a shaft 19 which supports arms 16 on the end regions of shaft 19 by means of fastener 20. Shaft 19 preferably has splines 21 around its periphery and has a substantial clearance within journals 18 so that shaft 19 can move vertically within journals 18. The looseness of journals l8 and the splines 21 on shaft 19 help keep journals 18 clear of sand so that frame 15 pivots freely and has a long pivotal wear life even when operated in a sandy environment.

The upper region of chassis 13 also has abutments 22 underlying arms 16 which have downwardly extending edges 23 that hook or latch against abutments 22 when frame 15 is in the elevated position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. The engagement of edges 23 against abutments 22 latches frame 15 in a lifting position, and the weight of frame 15 tends to maintain the latching engagement between abutments 22 and edges 23. To release the latching engagement and lower frame 15 to the scooping position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, it is only necessary to lift shaft 19 upward within the clearance provided by journals 18 to lift edges 23 clear of abutments 22, and then frame 15 can be lowered. Such lifting can be accomplished by handle 17 or by grasping frame 15 anywhere along its length.

Undersurfaces 25 of arms 16 rest on the tops of abutments 22 to help support frame 15 in the lifting position, and undersurfaces 24 of each of the arms 16 rest on the tops of abutments 22 as frame 15 is lowered to the scooping position where undersurface 24 also rests on the bevelled front edge 26 of simulated fenders 27 on chassis 13. In the scooping position, handle 17 is elevated to afford a manipulatable grip on the toy for steering and guiding bucket 11 in its scooping action. Handle 17, frame 15, and bucket 1 1 are then analogous to a hand-held shovel and are readily operated by a child. When bucket 11 is filled, handle 17 is depressed to elevate bucket 11 to the lifting position in which it latches as soon as edges 23 pass over abutments 22.

Toy 10 also includes a lever 28 having a knob handle 29 for operating bucket bottom 12 as best shown in FIGS. 24. Lever 28 is mounted on shaft 19 between journals 18 as best shown in FIG. 2 and is pivotal on shaft 19 relative to frame 15. Sleeve 30 of lever 28 loosely surrounds shaft 19 whose splines 21 help keep sand from binding the pivotal motion of lever 28. Lever 28 moves with frame 15 as frame 15 pivots, and pivotal motion of lever 28 relative to frame 15 operates bucket bottom 12.

Bucket bottom 12 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 31 extending between frame arms 16 behind bucket 11 and is movable from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 4. Fastener 44 holds bucket bottom 12 on shaft 31, and splines 45 on shaft 31 help keep the bucket bottom action clear of sand. As best shown in FIG. 3, a spring 32 surrounds shaft 31 and is compressed between a step 33 in shaft 31 and a socket 34 in bucket bottom 12 to urge bucket bottom 12 against a detent ridge 35 on one of the frame arms 16 behind bucket 1 1. A sleeve 36 on bucket bottom 12 surrounding shaft 31 has a cam surface 37 with a beveled leading edge 38 so that when bucket bottom 12 is closed, cam 37 detents behind detent ridge 35 as best shown in FlG. 5. Spring 32 biases sleeve 36 into detent engagement of cam 37 with ridge 35 so that bucket bottom 12 stays closed against a reasonable weight of material in bucket 1 1. Any excessive force tending to open bucket bottom 12 moves beveled edge 38 of cam 37 over detent ridge 35 to let bucket bottom 12 open to prevent any breakage. Also, when bucket bottom 12 closes,

cam 37 snaps in behind ridge 35 with a satisfying snap sound.

A connecting rod formed as a pair of arms 39 has forward ends 40 bent inward and secured in eccentric sleeves 41 projecting outward from sleevee 36, and the rearward ends 42 of connecting rod arms 39 are bent inward and housed in sleeves 43 on lever 28. Then as lever 28 is pivoted on shaft 19, bucket bottom 12 is opened and closed by connecting rod arms 39 as illustrated. The lower limit of motion of bucket bottom 12 is set by the engagement of connecting rod arms 39 with sleeve 36 around shaft 31 to form a stop position.

Bucket bottom 12 is preferably made for automatically closing as frame 16 is lowered to the scooping position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Then bucket 11 is closed and ready for scooping when lowered, and this is preferably accomplished by a fixed stop 50 shown in FIG. 4 as formed on the upper side of journal 18 supporting shaft 19. Stop 50 is engaged by the boss sleeve 43 on lever 28 to limit the forward movement of lever 28 relative to frame 16. If bucket bottom 12 is Opened when bucket 11 is elevated as shown in FIG. 1, lever 28 is in a forward position relative to frame 16 and is close to stop 50 of FIG. 4. Then when frame 16 is lowered, boss 43 on lever 28 engages stop 50 and further pivoting of frame 16 moves lever 28 rearwardly relative to frame 16 to close bucket bottom 12 as bucket 11 is lowered to the scooping position, and bucket bottom 12 snaps closed the scooping position is reached. Of course, bucket bottom 12 can also be closed by moving lever 28 rearwardly relative to frame 16 before pivoting frame 16 downward to the scooping position.

Most of the parts of toy are preferably formed of molded resin material, except for connecting rod 39, fastening pins and 44, and other fastener or axle parts. Toy 10 is then colorful and attractive, as well as rugged and durable. lts construction is simple and yet effective because it has a sturdy bucket 11 easily operated by handle 17, and it makes a satisfying simulation of a scooper-loader. It can have a sounding mechanism make a working noise as its wheels rotate, and bucket bottom 12 swings closed with a satisfying snap. Lever 28 with its handle knob 29 is conveniently located and operates in a satisfying way to pivot bucket bottom 12 so that toy 10 is easily controlled and operated by a small child.

Persons wishing to practice the invention should remember that other embodiments and variations can be adapted to particular circumstances. Even though one point of view is necessarily chosen in describing and defining the invention, this should not inhibit broader or related embodiments going beyond the semantic orientation of this application but falling within the spirit of the invention. For example, there are many ways that different frame pivot supports, lever mountings, and bucket bottom pivot arrangements and latching devices can be made within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. ln a toy scoop-loader having a wheeled chassis, the improvement comprising:

a. a frame having a pair of spaced-apart arms extending fore and aft relative to said chassis;

b. means for pivotally supporting a longitudinal midregion of said frame on said chassis;

c. a scoop bucket on a forward end of said frame;

(1. a handle extending between said arms at a rearward end of said frame for manipulating said frame;

e. means for supporting said frame in a scooping position with said bucket lowered and said handle elevated for manually moving and guiding said bucket;

f. frame latch means for releasably supporting said frame in a lifting position with said bucket elevated and said handle lowered;

g. a bucket bottom pivotally mounted for opening and closing said bucket;

h. a manually operable lever mounted for pivoting relative to said frame;

i. a connecting rod extending between said bucket bottom and said lever for pivotally opening and closing said bucket bottom in response to movement of said lever; and

j. bucket bottom latch means for releasably latching said bucket bottom in said closed position.

2. The toy of claim 1 wherein said bucket bottom latch means includes a spring for biasing said bucket bottom toward one side of said bucket and a detent arranged on said one side of said bucket for releasably latching said bucket bottom in said closed position.

3. The toy of claim 1 wherein said connecting rod includes a pair of rods each connected to said lever between a pivot axis for said lever and a free end of said lever and each connected to said bucket bottom eccentrically relative to a pivot axis for said bucket bottom.

4. The toy of claim 1 wherein said bucket bottom is mounted on a pivot pin having splines to be self cleaning of sand.

5. The toy of claim 1 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.

6. The toy of claim 1 wherein said pivot support means for said frame includes a shaft, journal means on said chassis for supporting said shaft, and said arms of said frame being secured to end regions of said shaft.

7. The toy of claim 6 wherein clearance between said shaft and said journal means allows vertical movement of said shaft, said frame latch means includes a downward extending edge on each of said frame arms and abutments on said chassis engaging said edges in said lifting position of said frame, and said frame latch means is releasable by raising said shaft to lift said edges clear of said abutments.

8. The toy of claim 7 wherein said shaft is splined to be self cleaning of sand.

9. The toy of claim 7' wherein said support means for said frame in said scooping position includes surfaces of said arms resting on forward regions of said chassis.

10. The toy of claim 6 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.

11. The toy of claim 6 wherein said lever is pivotally mounted on said shaft.

12. The toy of claim 11 wherein said journal means includes a pair of journals, and said lever is mounted between said journals.

13. The toy of claim 1 1 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.

14. The toy of claim 1 wherein said fixed stop is formed on said journal means.

15. The toy of claim 11 wherein clearance between said shaft and said journal means allows vertical movement of said shaft, said frame latch means includes a downward extending edge on each of said frame arms and abutments on said chassis engaging said edges in said lifting position of said frame, and said frame latch means is releasable by raising said shaft to lift said edges clear of said abutments.

16. The toy of claim 15 wherein said bucket bottom latch means includes a spring for biasing said bucket bottom toward one side of said bucket and a detent arranged on said one side of said bucket for releasably latching said bucket bottom in said closed position.

17. The toy of claim 16 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.

18. The toy of claim 17 wherein said shaft is splined to be self cleaning of sand, and said bucket bottom is mounted on a pivot pin having splines to be self cleaning of sand.

19. The toy of claim 18 wherein said connecting rod includes a pair of rods each connected to said lever between a pivot axis for said lever and a free end of said lever and each connected to said bucket bottom eccentrically relative to a pivot axis for said bucket bottom.

20. The toy of claim 19 wherein said support means for said frame in said scooping position includes surfaces of said arms resting on forward regions of said chassis.

21. The toy of claim 20 wherein said journal means includes a pair of journals, and said lever is mounted between said journals.

22. The toy of claim 21 wherein said fixed stop is formed on said journal means. 

1. In a toy scoop-loader having a wheeled chassis, the improvement comprising: a. a frame having a pair of spaced-apart arms extending fore and aft relative to said chassis; b. means for pivotally supporting a longitudinal mid-region of said frame on said chassis; c. a scoop bucket on a forward end of said frame; d. a handle extending between said arms at a rearward end of said frame for manipulating said frame; e. means for supporting said frame in a scooping position with said bucket lowered and saiD handle elevated for manually moving and guiding said bucket; f. frame latch means for releasably supporting said frame in a lifting position with said bucket elevated and said handle lowered; g. a bucket bottom pivotally mounted for opening and closing said bucket; h. a manually operable lever mounted for pivoting relative to said frame; i. a connecting rod extending between said bucket bottom and said lever for pivotally opening and closing said bucket bottom in response to movement of said lever; and j. bucket bottom latch means for releasably latching said bucket bottom in said closed position.
 2. The toy of claim 1 wherein said bucket bottom latch means includes a spring for biasing said bucket bottom toward one side of said bucket and a detent arranged on said one side of said bucket for releasably latching said bucket bottom in said closed position.
 3. The toy of claim 1 wherein said connecting rod includes a pair of rods each connected to said lever between a pivot axis for said lever and a free end of said lever and each connected to said bucket bottom eccentrically relative to a pivot axis for said bucket bottom.
 4. The toy of claim 1 wherein said bucket bottom is mounted on a pivot pin having splines to be self cleaning of sand.
 5. The toy of claim 1 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.
 6. The toy of claim 1 wherein said pivot support means for said frame includes a shaft, journal means on said chassis for supporting said shaft, and said arms of said frame being secured to end regions of said shaft.
 7. The toy of claim 6 wherein clearance between said shaft and said journal means allows vertical movement of said shaft, said frame latch means includes a downward extending edge on each of said frame arms and abutments on said chassis engaging said edges in said lifting position of said frame, and said frame latch means is releasable by raising said shaft to lift said edges clear of said abutments.
 8. The toy of claim 7 wherein said shaft is splined to be self cleaning of sand.
 9. The toy of claim 7 wherein said support means for said frame in said scooping position includes surfaces of said arms resting on forward regions of said chassis.
 10. The toy of claim 6 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.
 11. The toy of claim 6 wherein said lever is pivotally mounted on said shaft.
 12. The toy of claim 11 wherein said journal means includes a pair of journals, and said lever is mounted between said journals.
 13. The toy of claim 11 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.
 14. The toy of claim 1 wherein said fixed stop is formed on said journal means.
 15. The toy of claim 11 wherein clearance between said shaft and said journal means allows vertical movement of said shaft, said frame latch means includes a downward extending edge on each of said frame arms and abutments on said chassis engaging said edges in said lifting position of said frame, and said frame latch means is releasable by raising said shaft to lift said edges clear of said abutments.
 16. The toy of claim 15 wherein said bucket bottom latch means includes a spring for biasing said bucket bottom toward one side of said bucket and a detent arranged on said one side of said bucket for releasably latching said bucket bottom in said closed position.
 17. The toy of claim 16 including a fixed stop on said chassis arranged for limiting movement of said lever to automatically close said bucket bottom as said frame is lowered to said scooping position.
 18. The toy of claim 17 wherein said shaft is splined to be self cleaning of sand, and saiD bucket bottom is mounted on a pivot pin having splines to be self cleaning of sand.
 19. The toy of claim 18 wherein said connecting rod includes a pair of rods each connected to said lever between a pivot axis for said lever and a free end of said lever and each connected to said bucket bottom eccentrically relative to a pivot axis for said bucket bottom.
 20. The toy of claim 19 wherein said support means for said frame in said scooping position includes surfaces of said arms resting on forward regions of said chassis.
 21. The toy of claim 20 wherein said journal means includes a pair of journals, and said lever is mounted between said journals.
 22. The toy of claim 21 wherein said fixed stop is formed on said journal means. 